The occupants claimed the property in the car was their own, but when asked what it was they could not identify the contents, Johnson said.

Huffman was arrested at the scene for driving without insurance, but Smith was released. Police later found the owner of the property due to a key with a boat towing membership that linked the stolen goods to a boat in Island Moorings. After being contacted by police, the owner confirmed that more than $8,000 worth of equipment was stolen out of a boat, Johnson said.

Smith was then relocated and both he and Huffman were charged with theft of more than $1,500 dollars but less than $20,000, which is a state jail felony, according to Johnson.

The two were transported to Nueces County Jail, where they were still being held on Tuesday, Dec. 4.